The 78 year old signed on last year to portray Denzel Washington's mother in a new version of Lorraine Hansberry's play, her first Broadway role in 30 years, and the show was due to begin previews next month.

However, Carroll has since bowed out of the production, blaming the vigorous schedule for her decision to step down, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Samuel L. Jackson's actress wife, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, has been picked to replace Carroll as family matriarch Lena Younger, despite only being five years older than 59-year-old Washington.

The play will mark Richardson Jackson's first role on Broadway since starring in a 2009 revival of August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone. She joins a cast which also includes Anika Noni Rose and Sophie Okonedo.